ELC, Term 2 Week 9 2025

Rain Moth Investigations

While exploring the outdoor area after recent rain, several children excitedly gathered around tree bases, pointing out “Look what we found!” Upon closer inspection, they had discovered rain moths (Trictena), along with their large, papery pupal shells. One child said, “They came out of the ground! Look, their house is empty now!”

The Yulti children discovered rain moths and casings at Yartangka too…

“That’s like my family because there is four. It’s like a caterpillar because they have cocoons too” said Mila.
“I can see one eye. That’s a baby and that’s a mummy. That’s a little sister and that’s a daddy” said Lili.
Mila drew them, “That’s the house I’m drawing a house for them” she said.

The Wita children handled the empty shells gently and compared their sizes, shapes, and textures. The children collected a small sample of the shells and stored them in a specimen jar to research further, have a closer inspection and to add their findings to their ‘Identification Wall.’

This discovery provided a rich opportunity for scientific inquiry and nature-based learning. The rain moth (Kaurna name: Manya Pilyapilya) has a unique life cycle. The larvae live underground for up to three to four years, feeding on tree roots, before emerging as moths for a brief adult life after rain. The rain moth’s name stems from the fact that adult moths often emerge after rain, during the autumn months of March and April. The rain moths will only live for one day, their sole role in life is to then lay eggs. The moths cannot feed or drink because they don’t have the appropriate mouth parts to do so.

Our inquiry into rain moths has evolved on both sides of South Terrace. This week it extended further to the science labs where Ms Maglica prepared slides with the rain moth casings, and other insects too, for the children to examine through the microscopes.

“You know centipedes do have lots of legs” said Lewis.
“A grasshopper looked like a spider” said India.
“The cricket was bumpy and smooth” Jack told us.
“If you look in a microscope you can see so many tiny things and germs” explained Chelsea.
“Whoa! I see it, I saw some yellow” exclaimed Chloe.

What an exciting way to see these creatures from another perspective and extend our inquiry!

Katrina White, Lilli Heard and Ali Blake

ELC Staffing News

In the holidays we will farewell ELC Administrative Assistant, Ruby Panizza, as she moves to a Workplace Health and Safety role in another school. Ruby will be greatly missed by staff and children alike. We wish her all the very best and thank her for her enormous contribution to the running of the ELC and OSHC.

In Term 3 Steph David will move to the Wita Room with the Yulti children who are moving up to 4 year old preschool, this will support the ELC’s approach to relationship based practice. Steph will provide a familiar face for the children and their families in their new room and help them make a seamless transition. Holly Baker will move to Yulti Room to work in the 3 year old program.

Casual Clothes Day this Thursday

The ELC children have been invited to participate in the Conservation Corps Casual Clothes Day this Thursday 26 June with a ‘Sustainability’ theme, to advocate and support our commitment to conservation, culture, and sustainability. Children are encouraged to wear green or cultural clothing. Please ensure that clothing is suitable for outdoor messy play. Please bring a gold coin donation to support Conservation Corps partners the Forktree Project, who are based on the Fleurieu Peninsula and are re-wilding barren land, and Bio R Reconstructing Habitat for Biodiversity.

Show Day Care

The ELC will be open on the School’s Show Day on Friday, 5 September with ELC educators providing care. If you require care for your child on this day, please email elc@pulteney.sa.edu.au by Monday 25 August.

Show Day Care Key Details:

Date: Friday, 5 September
Opening Hours: 7.30am – 6.00pm
Location: ELC Tainmunta and Yulti classrooms

Rate: $130.00 flat rate (includes early drop off from 7.30am and late pick up before 6.00pm)

Families who do not book in for care on this day will not be charged.

Important Information:

Booking Requests: Please email your booking requests to elc@pulteney.sa.edu.au

Closing Date: Booking requests will be accepted until Monday 25 August.

Ali Blake
Head of Early Childhood and Care

Important Health Reminder for Parents

As part of our ongoing efforts to keep our school community healthy and safe, we kindly ask that you keep your child at home if they are showing signs of illness. This includes symptoms such as:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Headache
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• General fatigue or signs of not feeling well

Keeping children home when they are unwell helps prevent the spread of illness to other students and staff, and allows your child the necessary time to rest and recover.

If your child becomes ill during the school day, we will contact you to arrange for them to be picked up.

Thank you for your support and cooperation in maintaining a healthy learning environment for everyone.